May 21-23
Heartland Park Topeka
7530 SW Topeka Blvd.
Topeka, KS 66619
www.hpt.com
Elevation: 980 feet
Tickets: 800-43-RACES (7-2237); 785-862-4781
Radio Frequency: 88.7 FM

Sprawling multipurpose Heartland Park Topeka has been a Midwest favorite since it opened in 1989, but its dragstrip has gained the majority of headlines. The event, originally in the fall, has featured numerous record performances, the most significant of which was the shattering of the quarter-mile four-second and 300-mph barriers in Funny Car in 1993. The event moved to its current spot on the schedule in 2001.

2009 recap: Allen Johnson picked up his first win in almost two years when he defeated Mike Edwards in the Pro Stock final. Larry Dixon (Top Fuel) and Ron Capps (Funny Car) were also victorious. Johnson, who last put his Dodge in a winner’s circle at the 2007 Denver event, defeated Edwards to claim his sixth Pro Stock victory, and Capps continued his reign of terror in Funny Car, winning for the fourth time in five 2009 final-round ­showings when he defeated No. 1 qualifier Ashley Force Hood in the final. Racing in his 85th Top Fuel final, Dixon defeated Clay Millican and won his second event of the year to notch his 45th victory.

How to Get There: The track is on Topeka Boulevard where it intersects Gary Ormsby Drive, four miles south of Interstate 470. From Kansas City, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-70) to the South Topeka exit and travel south on Topeka Boulevard to the track. From Wichita, take the Kansas Turnpike (I-335) to the South Topeka exit and travel south on Topeka Boulevard to the track. From I-470, take the Topeka Boulevard exit and travel south to the track.
 
Visitor Information: Visit Topeka Inc., 785-234-1030 or 800-235-1030, www.visittopeka.travel